Scientific Name:
Kalmia microphylla
Pronunciation:
KAL-mee-uh my-kro-FIL-uh
Common Name:
western bog laurel
Family Name:
Ericaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen
Key ID Features:
Leaves opposite, leathery, mostly lanceolate, 0.8-4cm long x 3-11mm wide, margins entire and often rolled under, shiny, dark green, glabrous above, lower surface grayish and very finely and densely covered with short glandular hairs, petioles 2-5mm long; flowers deep pinkish-rose, saucer-shaped, 1-2cm wide; capsules 5-valved, ~4mm wide x 5mm long. (E-Flora BC)
Habit:
Twiggy, Upright
Form:
Oval - horizontal
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
B.C. west of Cascades, U.S. - northwest, U.S. - southwest
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 2: (-46 to -40 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Bog
Landscape Uses:
Group or mass planting, Rock garden, Spring interest (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Lanceolate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Decurrent
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme, Corymb-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Campanulate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Purple, Pink
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Green, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Brown
Organ Modifications:
Ectomycorrhizae
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Beetles or weevils, Fungal leaf spot, Scale insects
